Convertible car.



PATENTED MAY 23, 19 5. E. T. ROBINSON & H. WITTE. CONVERTIBLE GAR.

APPLICATION FILED TAR. 3,1906- 11 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

a ed-ii No 790,592.- PATENTED MAY23, 1905.

E. T. ROBINSON & H. WITTE.

CONVERTIBLE GAR.

APPLIOATIOF FILED JAN. 3, 1906.

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No. 790,592. PATENTED MAY 23, 1905.

I E. T. ROBINSON & H. WITTE.

CONVERTIBLE GAR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 3, 1905.

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No. 790,592. V PATENTED-MAY 23, 1905.

. B. T. ROBINSON & H, WITTE.

CONVERTIBLE GAR.

' APPLICATION FILED JAN. 3. 1905.

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No. 790,592. PATENTED MAYYZB, 1905.

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CONVERTIBLE OAR.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 3, 1905.

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PATENTED MAY 23,1905.

E. T. ROBINSON & H. WITTE.

CONVERTIBLE GAR. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 3, 1905.

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VII/ll] PATENTED MAY 23, 1905. E. T. ROBINSON & H. WITTE.

' CONVERTIBLE CAR. AIBPLIGATION FILED JAN 3, 1905.

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CONVERTIBLE GAR APPLICATION FILED JAN. 3, 1905.

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No 790,592. I PATENTED MAY23, 1 905.

E. T. ROBINSON & H. WITTE.

CONVERTIBLE GAR.

APPLICATION IYILED JAN. 3, 1905.

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] UNITED STATES.

Patented May as, 1905.

PATENT. OFFICE.

' EDWARD T. ROBINSON AND HUBERT WITTE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI,

I AssIeNORSTo ST. LOUIS OAR COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI,

A CORPORATION.

CONVERTIBLE CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 790,592, dated May 23,1905.

Application filed January 3, 1905- Serial No. 239,522.

' and HUBERT WITTE, citizens of the United States, residing in the cityof St. Louis and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Convertible (Jars, of which the following is a-full,clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming part of this specification. I

Our invention relates to a convertible car so constructed as to besusceptible of changing from a closed or winter car to an open or summercar, and vice versa, the construction being such that all of thefeatures common to a closed car are present thereinwhen the parts areall assembled and when certain parts are removed all of the featurescommonly present in an open car are present without the addition ofparts not present in a car when in its closed form.

Figure I is a side elevation of one end of our car in closed condition.Fig. II is aside clevation of one end of our car in open condition.

- Fig. III is an enlarged vertical section through one side of our carin closed condition, partly broken out. Fig. IV is an enlarged verticalsection through one side ofour car in open condition, partly broken out.Fig. V is an enlarged vertical section through a portion of the floor ofthe car at one side and the running-boards in extended position. Fig. VIis a horizontal section taken on the irregular line VI VI, Fig. V, withparts beneath said line in plan view. Fig. VII is an enlarged verticalsection taken through a portion of the upper running-board above thelower runningboard in extended position and through the retaining-catchassociated with said upper running-board. Fig. VIII is an enlargedperspective View of one of the hanger-brackets and the upper end of oneof the pivoted hangers by which the running-boards are supported. Fig.IX is an enlarged vertical crosssection taken on line IX IX, Fig. IV.Fig. X is an enlarged horizontal cross-section taken on line X X, Fig.III. Fig. XI is an enlarged horizontal cross-section taken on line XIXI, Fig. III. Fig. XII is an enlarged of the car closed and theotheropen. Fig.

XVII is an enlarged vertical cross-section taken through one end wall ofthecar and the seats at the inner side and vestibule side of said wall.Fig. XVIII is an enlarged vertical section taken on line XVIII XVIII,Fig. XVI.

Fig. XIX is a horizontal section taken on line XIX XIX, Fig. XVILwithparts beneath said line shown in plan view. Fig. XX is a verticalsection taken on line X X, Fig. XIX,

through a portion of the vestibule-floor with one of the swingingseat-supports in lowered posit-ion. Fig. XXI is an enlarged verticalsection taken on line XXI XXI, Fig. XVIII, showing the upper end of oneof the swinging seat-supports resting in the socket of the seatsupported thereby. Fig. XXII is an elevation ofa mating pair of thecar-seats in condition for closed car service. Fig. XXIII is a verticalcross-section taken on line XXIII XXIII, Fig. XXII. Fig. XXIV is a topor plan view of the seats as shown in Fig. XXII. Fig. XXV is an end Viewof one of the seats as seen in Fig. XXIV. Fig. XXVI is an elevation of amating pair of the seats of the car with portions thereof d-iscon- Inected and in the positions assumed when the intermediate portion of theseat-back partly swung toward connecting position.

Fig.

XXVIII. is an enlarged section taken on line XXVIII XXVIII, Fig. XXXIII,through the latch by which the intermediate seat-back members are heldin folded and unfolded positions. Fig. XXIX is an elevation of a matingpair of seats connected for open-car service. Fig. XXX is a top or planview of the seats shown in Fig. XXIX; Fig. XXXI is an enlarged sectiontaken on line XXXI XXXI, Fig. XXV. Fig. XXXII is a view illustrating indetail the connection between the drop-brackets that connect the backsto the bottoms of the seats. Fig. XXXIII is a longitudinal section takenon line XXXIII XXXIII, Fig. XXII.

The bottom of our car consists of the usual sills, including side sills1, on which the flooring 2 is laid, as seen in Figs. III to V,inclusive, and XIV and XV. The outer sides of the side sills preferablyhave applied thereto channel-shaped facing-beams 3, and secured to theside sills are post-sockets I.

5 designates intermediate side posts set into the pockets 4, and 6 (seeparticularly Figs. II, 1V, and XVI) designates corner-posts that arealso set into pockets similar to those in which the intermediate postsare seated. The posts 5 and 6 are' each provided withsashframe-receiving seats 5 and curtain-guideways 6.

7 designates the roof of the car, which includes the fascia-boards 8,(see Figs. III and IV,) that are provided at their lower edges with"downwardly-extending lips 9, the said fascia-boards overlapping theupper ends of the car side posts 5 and 6.

lO represents hand-rods secured to the posts 5 and 6 by brackets 11, inwhich the lower ends of the hand-rods are fitted and secured to thefascia-boards 8 by brackets 12, in which the upper ends of the rods arefitted.

13 designates the floors of the vestibules of the car, 1 1 thevestibule-fronts, and 15 the vestibule hoods. The construction of thevestibules is that common to street-ears, and further descriptionthereof is deemed unnecessary. Access is gained to the vestibules bysteps 16, and-the vestibule-doorways thereinto are controlled by theusual doors 17. (See Fig. I.) p

We will first, in proceeding with the description of our car, set forththe body parts as they are applied in the service of the car in closedcondition, in which instance access to the interior of the car is gainedthrough the vestibules in the manner usual to closed cars. 18 designatesthe-detachable outer panels of the car, which, as seen in Fig. IV, areprovided at their lower edges with sockets that are adapted to receiveupwardly-extending hooks 20, which project from the post-sockets 4, andalso withhooks 21, located near their upper edges, adapted toenter'sockets 22 in the side posts, whereby said panels are upheld atthe sides of the ear in a manner to permit of their ready removal whenthe hook-andsocket connections are separated. Each panel 18 has hingedthereto at its inner side a dropdoor 23, (see Figs. III, IV, and XVlg)adapted to close the space existing between the panels and the car sidesills intermediate of the side posts.

24 designates panel-rails that are loosely fitted to the hand-rods 10 byeyes 25, adapted to ride on said hand-rods. The panel-rails includeflanged panel-retaining bars 26, located at the lower sides of the railsand engaging the panels 18 while said panel-rails are in their loweredcondition, as seen in Figs. .I and III. The panel-rails also includeinner sash-frame rails 27 and outer sash-frame rails 28, the latterbeing provided with beads 29.

3O designates detachable sash-frames that are removably set into thesash-seats 5 and 6 of the car side posts and consisting of innerportions 31 and outer portions 32, adapted to respectively contain innerand lower liftable sashes 33 and outer and upper sashes 34; andwindow-guards 35. The lower end of the inner portion of each sash-framerests upon the inner sash-frame rail 27, and the lower end of the outerportion of each sash-frame is notched to receive the beads 29 of theouter sash-frame rail, upon which said portion rests, thereby preventingoutward movement of the lower ends of the sash-frames while they aresupported by the panel-rail 2 1. The upper end of each sash-frameoccupies a position at the rear of the fascia-board lip 9 adjacentthereto to prevent outward movement of, the upper end of the frame. Eachsash-frame is held depressed onto the panel-rail by a spring 36, locatedbetween the upper end of the sashframe and the lower edge of thesurrounding fascia-board 8 to maintain the sash-frame firmly in positionand prevent its being jarred out of place.

37 (see Figs. XVI, XVII, and XIX) designates the end walls of the car,consisting of inner sections 38 and outer sections 39, spaced apart, asusual, for the reception of the end doors, which control thepassage-ways between the interior of the car and its vestibules.

We will next proceed with the description of the parts of the car-bodywhereby the car is converted from a condition for closed service to acondition for open service.

The panel-rail 2 1 has connected to each of its ends'a chain or otherflexible connection 40, that leads over a sheave 41, mounted in thecorner-posts 6, (see Figs. IV and XVI,) and to which are appliedcounterbalimeeweights 42, that ride in runways 6 in said corner-posts.These counterbalanec-weights serve as a means for elevating thepanel-rails from the positions seen in Figs. I and III to the positionseen in Figs. II and IV and maintain them in such position at the upperends of the side posts and the hand-rods, to which they are slidablyfitted by the eyes 25. Where desirable, any suitableretaining means,such as a bolt or lock,-may be applied to the panelrails to retain themmore securely in their elevated condition- In converting the car from aclosed condition to an open condition the sash-frames 31 are firstlifted outof their seats by raising them to permit disengagement oftheir lower ends with the panel-rail and then swinging their lower endsoutwardly,- when they may be readily withdrawn. panel-rails now beingfreed by the removal of the sash-frames may be moved intoelevated'condition, as described, thereby freeing the panels 18. Thepanels 18 may be then readily lifted and withdrawn from the side postsby the separation of the hooks 20 and 21 from the sockets Y19 and 22, inwhich they were previously fitted, thereby leaving clear passengerpassage-ways between the car side posts, as will be readily understood.

43 (see Figs. II and V, inclusive, VIII, XIV, and XV) designates hangerbrackets secured to the rear side of the sills'lat intervals and havingarms extending outwardly beneath said sills.

. 44 represents drop-hangers having their upper ends bifurcated andpivoted at 45 to the terminations of the arms of the hanger-' brackets43. The drop-hangers are of angular shape at their upper ends,providingconnecting-arms 46, that are the portions united to the bracket-arms andfromwhich project lateral studs 47.

48 represents bench members having bifur-v cated arms 49, that arepivotedat 50 to the drop-hangers 44 above the lower ends, so that thearms 49 of the bench members may rest against and be sustained by thedropdiangers, as seen most clearly in-Fig. IV, when. they provided attheir sides with runway exten-- sions 54, that are adapted to receivethe studs 47 carried by the drop-hanger arms-46.

. In Figs. V and VI we have illustrated means whereby theupper-running-board 52 is slid inwardly and outwardly beneath the sidesills 1, duringwhich movement the boxes 53 move inwardly and outwardlywith the forwardlyextending arms of the hanger-brackets 43 within them.This meansfconsists of. handlevers 55, pivotally supported at 56 bybrack:

ets 57, secured to the hanger-timbers 58, lo-

cated beneath the car-flooring. There are,

preferably, two of these levers, one located ning-boards in extendedcondition we provide;

latches 61, (see Fig. VIL) that are adapted to I engage the facings ofthe side sills when the running-boards are extended. These latches arelocated in pockets 52 in theupper running-boards and are carriedbysprings 62,

3 that tend to force the latches upwardly, but I which permit thereceding of the latches into said pockets when the running-boards are tobe moved into retracted positions. v

63 is a confining-plate secured to the upper running-board at thelocation of each latch 61 and overlapping the outer end of the latch toprevent the escape of such end from the latch-pocket. I

When theupper running-boards are in retracted positions, as seen inFigs.I, III, and

- XIV, the lower running-boards are folded up wardly beneath the upperrunning-boards, being susceptible of being moved into such position dueto the pivotal connection between the drop-hangers 44 and the arms ofthe hanger-brackets 43 and the pivotal connection between the benchmembersof the lower running-boards and the drop-hangers. Pre- -vious tomoving the upper'runnmg-board into extended position iii-placing therunningboards 1n condition for open-car service each lower running-boardis freed from the'means by which it is upheld, and which will bepresently described, and permitted to fall from. the position seen mostclearly in Figs. II, III,- and XIV, thereby causing the drop-hangers tomove into vertical positions and. the lower running-boards to assumehorizontal positions. When the drop-hangers move into the positions juststated, their arms 46 extend horizontally and in alinement with the for:wardly-extending arms ofthe hanger-brack ets 43,.to which they arepivoted, and the studs 46, extending laterally from said drop-hangerarms, are in. horizontal alinement with the' runways in thebox-extensions 54 beneath thev upper running-boards. The upperrunningboards are then moved into extended position by operatingthehand-levers 55, and as; said runningboards move outwardly the boxes53-are carried in like direction toward the forward endsof thehanger-bracket arms therein, with the result that the boxes embrace thestuds 47 of the drop-hanger arms,

as seen most clearly in Fig. IX, thereby preventing swinging movement ofthe drophangers.

64 (see Figs. XIV and XV) designates keeper-bars by which the lowerrunningboards and their drop-hangers are held from swaying movement bothwhen the runningboards are in folded and unfolded positions. The forwardends of these keeper-bars, which may be of-any desirable number, arepivoted at 67 to straps 68, secured to the lower running-boards. 69represents brackets suspended from the timbers 58'beneath thecar-flooring and provided with pins 70, with which said keeper-bars areadapted to engage. Each keeper-bar is provided near its forward end withone or more notches 65, into which the corresponding pin 7 O is-adaptedto enter when the lower running-board is in folded position, as seen inFig. XIV. Each keeper-bar is also provided at a-point rearward from thenotch or notches with a notch 66,.that is adapted to receive the pin 7 0when the lower runningboard is in unfolded and lowered position, as seenin'Fig. XV.

71 designates pull-chains of a number corresponding to the number ofkeeper-bars 64. These pull-chains are connected to the keeperbarsadjacent to the points 67 of pivotal connection at their forward ends,and they extend upwardly through the flooring'2and have applied theretohandles 7 2, by which they may be drawn upon. Each pull-chain extendsupwardly adjacentto asheave 73, againstwliich it"rides-wh'en pullingstrain is exerted thereupon.

74 represents connecting-chains that are secured to the drop-hangers 44at the upper ends and are arranged for engagement with hooks 75, carriedby the lower running-boards, to support the running-boards at theirforward edges when they are in folded condition.

Previousto the lowering of each lower-running-board from folded tounfolded condition the connecting-chains 74: are separated from thebooks 75. The pull-chains 71 are then grasped and pulled upwardly, andthe keeperbars 64 are lifted out of engagement-with the pins ofthe'brackets 69. The lower running-. board is then permitted'to descend,and the keeper-bars ride upon the pins until the notches 66 are moved tosaid pins, at which time the keeper-bars are again placed in engagernentwith the brackets 69, so that said brackets-serve to hold thekeeper-bars, and

consequently the lower running-boards, until such time as'thepull-chains'are again drawn upon to'lift the keeper-bars and carry thelower running-board again into folded condition.

We next come to the description of the seats at the ends of our car,which are illustrated-in Figs. XVI- to XXI, inclusive, and shown in partin Fig. 11.

y 75 designates permanent seats located adjacen-t'to the innersections38 of the end walls, each seat being supported by a riser 76. (See Figs.XVII and XIX.) Slidably positioned beneath the seats 7 5 are shiftablerisers 77. The seats 75 are susceptible of use in both closed and opencar service.

78 represents the end doors,that are adapted to slide as usual intoposition between the sections 38 and 39 when the car is used for closedservice. VVhen the car is used for open service, the doors are closedand maintained in such condition.

79 represents seats having their upper ends hinged at 80 to the doors 78at their inner sides and beneath which the shiftable risers 77 areadapted to be moved to supportsaid seats, as seen in Figs. XVI andXVIII. When the seats 79 are in service, they are in horizontalalinement with the permanent seats 7 5 and a continuous seating-surfaceis furnished across the widthof the car at the inner side ofeach end ofthe car.

81 (see Figs. XVI and XVII) represents seats having their upper endshinged to the outer sections 39 of the car end walls at 82 and adaptedto be swung upwardly into horizontal positions in the vestibule portionsof the car, and 83 represents seats having their lower ends hinged tothe end doors 78, adapted to be lowered into horizontal position in thevestibule, as seen in Figs. XVI and XVlll. The seats 81 and 83 aresupported in their horizontal positions by swinging posts 85, which arepivoted to brackets 86, secured to the floors 13 of the vestibules, andare adapted to be raised'into upright positions to seat in sockets 81and 83 in the under sides of the seats. When the posts 85 are not inuse, they occupy slots 13 in the floors of the vestibules.

We will next describe the main seats of the car, which are soconstructed as to permit of their conversion into main separate seatswith an aisle extending longitudinally of the car between them when thecar is in condition for closed-car service and also susceptible of beingmade'continuous across the car when converted into condition foropen-car service.

87 and-87 designate outer main sides that are secured to the car sideposts 5, as seen in Figs. XXII, XXIV, XXVI, XXVII, XXIX, and XXX.

88 and 88 are inner seat sides that are united to the outer seat sidesby brace-rods 90. At the upper ends of the inner seat sides arehinge-ears 89 and 89.

91 and 93 are the main seat-bottoms, the bottoms 91 being swinginglysecured by hinges 92 at their outer ends to the outer seat sides 87 andthe bottoms 93 being swingingly sccured to the outer seat sides 87 byhinges 94.

95 represents supplemental seat-bottom sections, which are swinginglyconnected to the seat-bottoms 91 by hinges 96, located at the lowersides of said members, as seen in Fig.

-XX-VI, thereby providing for the folding of said end brackets.

and-fall motion.

said supplemental bottom sections into posi tions beneath theseat-bottoms 91, as seen in Figs. XXII and XXIII, when thetransversely-alined seats are in separated condition in closed-carservice. The supplemental seat-bottom sections are designed to beexetended into horizontal alinement with the main seat-bottoms 91 and 93 tofurnish a continuousseating-surface across the entire width of the car.To provide for the-last-named positioning of the supplemental sectionsthe seat-bottoms 91 are swung upwardly on their hinges92, as seen inFig. XXVI,- thereby permitting of the supplemental sections being swungoutwardly from beneath said main seat-bottoms and lowered to positionsacross the aisle-space between the inner seat ends, as seen in Figs XXIXand XXX. When the supplemental seat-bottom sections are moved into theirextended positions, tenons 91' at the inner ends of the mainseat-bottoms 91 enter sockets 95 in the facing ends of the supplementalsections and tenons 95 at the other ends of the supplemental sectionsenter sockets 93 in the main seat-bottoms 93.

97 and 98 designate the main seat-backs.

99 represents outer swinging arms secured to the main seat-backs and bywhich said backs are swingingly connected through the medium ofpivot-brackets 100, secured .to the car side posts 5 above the mainseat-bottoms.

101 represents swinging brackets at the in and XXXII, or of beinglowered across the aisle-space between sald main seats, as seen.

in Figs. XXVI, XXVII, and XXIX.

103 represents inner back-connecting arms which are provided withpivot-studs 104, by. which they-are swingingly connected with the innerend-brackets 101, so that they may partake of swinging movement withrespect to The pivot-studs 10 1 are seated in vertical elongatedapertures 101 (see Fig. XXXII) in the end brackets 101, so

that when the back-connecting arms and the end brackets are in verticalposition the'backconnecting arms maybe susceptible of a rise- Each innerback-connecting arm is provided with hooks 105, adapted to entersockets'106 in end strips 107 as seen in- Figs. XXV and XXXI, the saidend strips being fitted to the inner ends of the main seat-backs 97 and98. -'The inner back-conbacks when the end brackets .101 and the innerback-connecting arms are in vertical position and the main seats are inseparated condition the back-connecting arms being readily fitted to themain seat-backs by entering the hooks 105 into the sockets 106and-forcing. them downwardly therein, which movement is permitted due tothe play of the pivot-studs 104 in the end brackets 101. Theconstruction described also provides for the disconnection of the endseat-arms 103 from the main seatbacks and the swinging of saidconnectingarms into positions in alinement with the end seat-brackets101, so that said parts may be lowered into the positions seen in Figs.XXVI and XXVII previous to the extensions of'the supplementalseat-bottom sections 95 across the aisle-space between the main seats tofur-- nish the continuous transverse-seats.

108 designates supplemental seat-back sections that areswinginglyconnected by hinges 109 to one of each of the mating pairs of the mainseat-backs-for instance, those 97. These supplemental seat-back sectionsby reason of their swinging connections are rendered susceptible ofbeing swung, as indicated in'Fig. XXVII, from positions at the rear ofthe back sections to which they are connected to positions across theaisle-space between the main seats to constitute the 1nterven1ng backportions of the continuous transverse seats at the location of thesupplemental seat-bottom sections 95 when in extended condition. In

the free endof the supplemental backsections 108 are latches 110, (SeeFigs. XXVIII and'XXXIII.) These latches are designed to enter keepers111 at the rear of the main back-sections of the seats to which thesupplemental back-sections 108 are connected andserve to hold saidback-section .in folded condition, as seen in Figs. XXIII to XXV,inclusive, and XXXIII, when the main seats are in separated condition intheir use in closed-car service. The latches 110 are also adapted toengage withthe main seat-back sections to which the supplementalsections 108 are swung when the seats are rendered continuous. Y Y I 112represents slidable retainers loosely fitted to the main seat-backs 97and-98 at their upper-and lower edges, the said retainers being providedwith tongues that ride in runways in said sections and are also adaptedto ride in runways in the supplemental back-sections 10. When thesupplemental back-sections are in extended positions to unite the mainback-sections, the retainers are slid inwardlytoward each other'into thepositions seen in Figs. XXIX and XXX, so'that they overlap the jointsbetween the main back-sections and the supplemental back -:sections,where they serve to brace the sections together and resist any strain towhich the continuous seat-backs may be subjected.

It will be seen that when the seat-backs are made continuous they maybe-readily swung into reverse positions in entirety, due to their pointsof pivotal connection being at the outer ends of the main seat-backsections, with the same readiness as when the main seats are inseparated condition and the inner brackets and inner back-connectingarms are associated with the main seat-back sections.

We claim as our invention 1. In a convertible car, the combination of aside framework, a panel detachably fitted to .--said framework, and ashiftable panel-rail supported by said framework and adapted to holdsaid panel to the framework, substantially as set forth.

2-. In a convertible car, the combination of a side framework, a paneldetachably fitted to .said framework, and a vertically-movablepanel-rail fitted to said framework and arranged to hold said panel,substantially as set forth.

3. .In a convertible car, the combination of a side framework, apaneldetachably fitted to said framework, a shift-able panel-rail fitted .tosaid framework to hold said panel, and detachable sash-frames fitted insaid framework, substantially as set forth.

4. In a convertible car, the combination of a side framework, a paneldetachably fitted to said framework, a shiftable panel-rail fitted tosaid frameworkto hold said panel, detachside posts, hand-rods attachedto said side posts, apanel-rail for-engagement with said panels, andears carried by said panel-rail and slidabl y fitted to said hand-rods,substantially as set forth.

7. .In a convertible car, the combination of a side framework, a paneldetachably fitted to said framework for engagement with the panel-rail,and counterbalances connected to said panel-rail, substantially as setforth.

8. In aconvertiblecar, the combination of a side framework includingside and corner posts, the latter of which areprovided with .runways, apanel detachably fitted to said posts, a panel-railslidably fitted tosaid posts,

and counterbalances connected to said panelrail and arranged to operatein the runways in said corner-posts, substantially as set forth.

9. In aconvertiblecar, the combination of a side framework, a paneldetachably fitted to said framework, a panel-rail slidably fitted tosaid framework for engagement with said panel, sash-frames removablyfitted between members of said framework and resting upon saidpanel-rail, and springs associated with said sash-frames to hold them inposition upon said panel-rail, substantially as set forth.

10. In a convertible car, the combination of va side framework, a paneldetachably fitted to said framework, a panel-rail slidably fitted tosaid framework, and a flange-bar located at the lower side of saidpanel-rail for engagement with said panel to hold it to said framework,substantially as set forth.

12. In a convertible car, the combination of the framework including aside sill and side posts, a panel detachably fitted to said side posts,and doors carried by said panel and adapted to occupy the space betweensaid side sill and panel intermediate of said posts, substantially asset forth.

13. In a convertible car, the combination with the bottom side membersof the car, of a laterally shiftable upper running board, means formoving said upper running-board outwardly and inwardly beneath saidframe member, a lower running-board, and means whereby said lowerrunning-board is foldingly supported, substantially as set forth.

14. In a convertible car, the combination with the bottom sidemembers ofthe car, of an upper running-board shiftably mounted beneath said framemembers, brackets secured to one of said framemembers andextendingbeneath said upper runningboard, drophangers pivoted to said brackets,and a lower runningboard pivotally connected to said drop-hangers,substantially as set forth.

15. In a convertible car, the combination with the bottom side membersof the ear, of an upper running-board shiftably mounted, bracketssecured to a lower frame member of the car, drop-hangers pivoted to saidbrackets, a lower running-board supported by said drop-hangers, andboxes secured to the under side of said upperrunning-board and arrangedfor engagement with said dro i-hangers, substantiallyas set forth.

16. In a convertible car, the combination with the bottom side membersof the car, of an upper shiftably-mounted running-board, bracketssecured to a lower member of the car-frame,drep-hangers pivoted to saidbrackets and provided at their upper ends with studs, a lowerrunning-board supported by said drop-hangers, and boxes secured to thelower sides of said upper running-board and arranged to engage the studsof said drop hangers. substantially as set forth.

17 In a-convertiblc car, the combination with the bottom side members ofthe car, of

an upper running-board shiftably mounted beneath said frame members,brackets secured to a lower frame member and extending for- .wardlybeneath said upper running-board,

drop-hangers pivoted to said brackets and provided at their upper endswith studs,-a lower running-board having pivotal connection with saiddrop-hangers, and members sebeneath a lower frame member; and hand-le- Ivers connected to pivot-supports and having pivotal connection to saidrunning-board whereby said running-board may be shifted outwardly andinwardly, substantially as set forth.

19. In a convertible car, the combination with the bottom side membersof the car, of

an upper running-board shiftably positioned beneath a lower framemember, and latches seated in said running-board and arranged toengagesaid frame member when said run-- ning-board is moved outwardly,substantially as set forth.

20. In a convertible car, the combination with the bottom side membersof the car, of

a running-board, means whereby said running-board is swinginglysuspended from the car-frame, notched-keeper-bars connected to saidrunning-board. and means carried by the car with which said keeper barsengage to hold said running-board and its suspending means in folded andunfolded positions,- substantially as set forth.

21. In a convertible car, the combination with the bottom side membersof the car, of a running-board, hangers pivotally suspended from a lowerframe-member and pivotally connected to said running-board to permit ofsaid running-board and hangers being moved into folded and unfoldedpositions, keeperbars connected to said running-board, and means withwhich said keeper-bars engage to hold them in fixed positions,substantially as set forth.

22. In a convertible car, the combination with the bottom side membersof the car, of a running-board, hangers pivotally suspended from a lowerframe member and pivotally connected to said running-board to permit ofsaid running-board and hangers being moved into folded and unfoldedpositions, keeperbars connected to said running-board, means with whichsaid keeper-bars engage to hold them in fixed positions, and means formov-v ing said keeper-bars out of engagement with said holding means topermit of said runningboard being moved into folded and unfoldedpositions, substantially as set forth.

23. In a convertible-car,- thecombination way and a door shiftablymounted to control saiddoorway, of a seat hinged to said door,

and means for supporting. said seat in hori" zontal position. 1 v.

24:. In a convertible car, the combination with an end wall of the carcontaining a doorway and a door shiftably mounted to control saiddoorway, of a seat located at the inner side of said end wall, a risershiftably positioned beneath said seat, and a seat hinged to said doorand beneath which said shiftable riser is adapted to be moved,substantially as set forth. v

25. A convertiblecar having a vestibule and an end wall separating themain portion of the car from said vestibule, a door controllingcommunication between the interior of the with an end wall of the carcontaining a doorcar and the vestibule, a seat hinged to said door atthe vestibule side thereof, and a post swingingly secured to thevestibule-floor and arranged to be moved into upright position tosupport said seat in horizontal position,

substantially as set forth.

26. A convertible car havingavestibuleand an end wall separating theinterior of the car from said vestibule, a seat at the vestibule side ofsaid end wall, and a post swingingly secured to the vestibule-floor andarranged to be moved into upright position to support said seat inhorizontal position.

27. In a convertible car, the combination of main seats spaced aparttofurnish an aislespace between them and having main-seat bottom sections,and a supplemental bottom section hinged to one of said main bottomsections and arranged to be extended across the aisle-space between saidmain seats into alinement with the other main-seat bottom tom sections,one of which is hinged to the corresponding outer supporting member, anda supplemental bottom section hinged to said. hinged main bottom sectionand arranged to be extended to the bottom section of the opposing mainseat, substantially as set forth.

30. In a convertible car, the combination of a pair of main seats spacedapart to provide an aisle-space between them and having main backsections, and a supplemental back sec- 'IIS 'tion movablyconnected toone of said main back sections and arranged tobe moved therefrom to theother main back section, substantially asset forth.

.31. In a convertible car, the combination of a pair of main seatsspaced apart to provide an aisle-space between them and having-main backsections, a supplemental back section hinged to one of said mainbacksections and arranged to be extended to the other back sectionacross said aisle-space, and means for secur ng said supplemental backsection in its extended posltlon.

' hinged to one of saidmain back sections and arranged to be extended tothe other back' section across said aisle-space, and retaining membersslidably fitted to said main back sections and arranged to be moved intopositions across'the junctions betweensaid 'mainback sections andsupplemental back section, substantially as set forth.

33. In a convertible car, the combination of main seats spaced apart toprovide an aislespace between them and having main back sections, innerswinging end brackets and back connecting-arms pivoted to said bracketsand detachably fitted to said main back sections, substantially as setforth.

34:. In a convertible car, the combination of main seats spaced apart toprovide an aislespace between them and having inner sup porting membersand main back sections,

inner end brackets hinged to said inner supporting members, and backconnecting-arms pivoted to said brackets and dotachably connected tosaid main back sectlons, substantially as set forth.

E. T. ROBINSON. HUBERT VVl'lTlE.

In presence of H. F. VOGEL, ARTHUR DIEKMANN.

